GAINESVILLE - Nick Zimmerman didn’t need long to put his stamp on Florida women’s soccer. Three matches into his run as head coach, the Gators delivered the kind of result that can change the mood around a program in a hurry, knocking off No. 3 Florida State 3-1 on Sunday at Dizney Stadium.
For Florida, it was more than just a rivalry win. It was the Gators’ first victory over the Seminoles since the 2015 upset of then-No.
1 FSU, and it snapped Florida State’s 36-game nonconference unbeaten streak. For a team that has been searching for traction in recent years, it landed like a loud answer.
“Every win is good for us. Every single win,” redshirt senior goalkeeper Jayden Emmanuel said. “Obviously just a little bit sweeter when it’s FSU.”
Zimmerman, who arrived from Mississippi State, made no attempt to downplay the moment.
“This is a huge, huge win for our program, for our organization,” Zimmerman said. “We’re going to celebrate. We’re going to enjoy it, and then we’re going to get back to work.”
The Gators improved to 2-1 behind a performance built on energy, edge and a clear willingness to meet the defending national champions physically. A reported 1,653 fans packed Dizney Stadium on a hot, humid afternoon in Gainesville, and the crowd included former Orlando Magic star Grant Hill, whose daughter Lael is a true freshman defender for Florida and a Lake Highland Prep product.
Hill, a two-time national champion at Duke and seven-time NBA All-Star, was in the middle of the celebration with parents and players when the final whistle brought the Gators’ sideline to life.
“You’re not just beating the team; you’re beating the legacy,” Hill said. “It’s a statement game in a lot of ways.”
Florida’s path to this point has been rocky since Becky Burleigh retired in 2020 after more than two decades that included the 1998 national championship team with Abby Wambach and Heather Mitts. Zimmerman is the third coach the Gators have had since then, following a one-year stint by former Stetson coach Tony Amato that ended in 2022 because of concerns about his approach with players and Samantha Bohon’s four seasons that brought a 5-23-12 SEC record and four straight losses to FSU by a combined 14-0.
Zimmerman said Sunday’s atmosphere made the payoff feel even bigger.
“You think back to the standard of what you know Florida soccer was,” Zimmerman said. “To see the joy and the love and the fans, and just how much it means … to the players. They’re putting in a ton of work.
“Just really happy for them.”
The Gators entered the season after a 4-3 loss at UCF that was full of missed chances, then bounced back with a 3-2 win over Coastal Carolina. Against Florida State, the attack kept moving in the right direction, and senior forwards Kyra Taylor and Zoe Main were at the center of it.
The two Mississippi State transfers drove Florida’s offense and helped the Gators build a lead they never surrendered. Main’s corner kick set up the opener, with freshman Mia Gray heading the ball to Taylor’s right foot for a simple tap-in and a 1-0 advantage. Later, in the 61st minute, Main took off down the right side and crossed to Taylor, who finished with her left foot to make it 2-0.
Taylor has already become a reference point for Zimmerman when he talks about the level he wants.
“The goals that she scores, the work rate, just everything about her … we highlighted her in front of the team - that’s the standard,” Zimmerman said. “When you ask what does a Florida soccer player look like, you just point to her.”
Florida added another in the 79th minute when Tatum Bornum won the ball just inside the Gators’ half and slipped it into space for Montelene Dymond. The senior pushed forward, beat the goalkeeper and finished for her first goal as a Gator.
Florida State answered in the 83rd minute. Ryder Ajeto’s first touch in the box was deflected by a Florida defender, but Ajeto stayed with the play and scored from eight yards to make it 3-1.
Emmanuel made sure the Seminoles never got any closer. In her first start of the season, the fifth-year keeper came through with a key one-on-one stop on Shaniel Buckley while Florida was ahead 1-0, diving right to deny the chance.
“My mind was kind of blank,” she said. “I kind of hit flow state a little bit there.”
After the final whistle, Emmanuel said the Gators believe this is the start of something real under Zimmerman.
“It’s who we are,” she said. “Just keep watching.”
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